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Friday, August 22, 2008

Man Fed To Lions: Thanks Mandela

In2004, Nelson Chisalewas beaten and fed to lions on the orders of his white boss Mark Scott-Crossley. All that remained of the father of three were his skull and strips of his clothing. A South African jury rightly found Mark guilty and sentenced him to life in prison.That should be the end of the story, justice served right?...WRONG. According to CNN Mark Scott-Crossley was released on parole on Thursday. Do the math, that is four years for threatening a man with a gun, having him beaten to death, and then feeding his remains to lions. This is the kind of justice that happens in South Africa when it comes to blacks.

South Africa has worked very hard to change its global image since the end of the evil apartheid system. That it now publicly criticizes Israel of human rights abuses is an example of the hypocrisy at play. It began with the historic release of Mandela from prison and his ascension to power as the countries first black president. He is globally celebrated as an emissary of peace for asking black South Africans to accept the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a path to healing and progression.

SINCE the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (Act No. 200 of 1993), provides a historic bridge between the past of a deeply divided society characterized by strife, conflict, untold suffering and injustice, and a future founded on the recognition of human rights, democracy and peaceful co-existence for all South Africans, irrespective of colour, race, class, belief or sex; AND SINCE it is deemed necessary to establish the truth in relation to past events as well as the motives for and circumstances in which gross violations of human fights have occurred, and to make the findings known in order to prevent a repetition of such acts in future;

The end result is that blacks learned how their loved ones died and the murderers got amnesty. Sounds like a fair deal doesn't it in the interest of peace.

This Constitution provides a historic bridge between the past of a deeply divided society characterised by strife, conflict, untold suffering and injustice and a future founded on the recognition of human rights, democracy and peaceful co-existence and development opportunities for all South Africans irrespective of colour, race, class, belief or sex. The pursuit of national unity, the well-being of all South African citizens and peace require reconciliation between the people of South Africa and the reconstruction of society. The adoption of this Constitution lays the secure foundation for the people of South Africa to transcend the divisions and strife of the past, which gen - erated gross violations of human rights, the transgression of humanitarian principles in violent conflicts and a legacy of hatred, fear, guilt and revenge. These can now be addressed on the basis that there is a need for under - standing but not for vengeance, a need for reparation but not for retaliation, a need for ubuntu but not for victimisation. In order to advance such reconciliation and reconstruction, amnesty shall be granted in respect of acts, omissions and offences associated with political objectives and committed in the course of the conflicts of the past. To this end, Parliament under this Constitution shall adopt a law determining a firm cut-off date, which shall be a date after 8 October 1990 and before 6 December 1993, and providing for the mechanisms, criteria and procedures, including tribunals, if any, through which such amnesty shall be dealt with at any time after the law has been passed.

Turn the other cheek, swallow your rage and anger. This is globally what blacks have been told for centuries in regard to the crimes committed against us. Yet no matter how many times the olive branch is extended our bodies continue to be violated. Mandela had a historic opportunity to achieve justice for the long suffering blacks of South Africa and instead it was more of the same. I cannot find it in my heart to praise him when I continue to see how black lives are devalued in South Africa. I cannot praise him when I realize that all that has changed is that now there are a small group of black bourgeoisie who are intent on oppressing the majority of the countries blacks.

Blacks still live in shanty towns without running water or electricity, while in the cities whites reside in comfortable homes with their neatly manicured lawns. That commercials like this still need to made is a sign of exactly how unequal South African society is. Yet he continues to be held up globally as a hero. I believe that this is a case of white fear. There is no doubt that whites have globally committed horrific inhumane acts against POC. They fear retribution. They fear justice, and rightly so, I am angry and so are my brethren. No more turning the other cheek, for if history has taught the brown peoples of this world anything, it is that forgiveness is only an invitation to be revictimized. I shall hold my anger in my heart as a shield against the pain that has been inflicted upon POC. I shall swallow it like vinegar relishing the taste because I know that there is a truthfulness to it, an honesty that cannot be found in pandering and begging for what is rightfully ours.

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About Me

I am the mother of two darling little boys that fill my life with hope. They have inspired me to help raise awareness of the issues that plague this little blue planet.
If you are looking for a blog that is all about how wonderful and rosy this world is, turn right because this space will not be for you. I am a committed humanist. I believe in the value of people over commodities. I believe in the human right to food, clothing, shelter, and education. I am pacifist, anti-racist, WOC. My truth may not be your truth, but I intend to speak it nonetheless.
Please feel free to direct questions or commentary womanistmusings@gmail.com